Family Dentists Agree These are The Best Tips To Avoiding Cavities

As any dentist will tell you, no one is immune from developing a cavity. Whatever your age, there are things you can do to minimize the risk and enjoy a higher standard of dental health. Here are a few of the top strategies for avoiding tooth decay that you can begin practicing right now. One of them may be just what you need to prevent a cavity from developing.

Brush After Meals and Use Floss Regularly

While you’ve heard it so often that it seems to almost be trite, the fact is that brushing your teeth after meals and using floss several times a week is one of the best ways to maintain excellent dental health. Along with reducing the risk of losing enamel, teeth that are free of plaque and other residue are less likely to develop cavities. Even if you find it hard to brush after one of your daily meals, at least find some water and rigorously rinse the teeth. It’s not perfect, but the rinsing will remove some of the buildup and possibly reduce the risk.

Break Bad Habits Right Now

Everyone has at least one habit that is likely to damage the teeth. It’s not unusual for family dentists to warn patients against the problems that can arise by grinding the teeth, chewing on ice, or consistently biting and chewing on hard candies. One of the potential outcomes is the development of tooth decay. If you are serious about avoiding cavities, improve the odds of keeping a beautiful and health set of teeth by breaking these and the other habits your dentist tells you are not in your best interests.

Choose Your Dental Hygiene Products With Care

While any old toothpaste, mouthwash, and toothbrush are better than nothing, never assume all products are equal. You want to make selections that allow you to more thoroughly clean the teeth and are not likely to damage the enamel. Your dentist can provide guidelines for choosing cleaning products that are a good choice for your teeth. The same goes for selecting a toothbrush with the best type of bristles and a design that allows you to brush more thoroughly. Along with removing residue that could lead to tooth decay, you’ll find that your mouth seems fresher for a longer amount of time between meals.

Saliva is Your Friend

Did you know that a dry mouth increases the potential for many different types of problems with the teeth and gums? Tooth decay happens to be one of them. Many dentists in Richmond Hill recommend stimulating the production of saliva by chewing sugar-free gum. Sugarless sweeteners still provide a pleasant taste, so you are likely to chew longer. At the same time, the gum is less likely to cause any type of damage than the sugar-filled varieties.

Never Miss an Annual Dental Exam

Along with your efforts at home, consider having an annual dental exam to be a priority. Just as you would never miss a yearly physical, having a dentist check your teeth and gums provides insight into how well you are doing with protecting the teeth. Even if a tiny amount of tooth decay is detected, it can be resolved before significant damage is done to the tooth.

Promise yourself that you will change your ways and develop habits that protect your teeth from tooth decay. An expert in family and cosmetic dentistry can provide you additional tips, including some that are tailored to the current condition of your teeth. Rest assured your efforts now will pay off in the years to come.